Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Italy great Gianluigi Buffon played his final game for Juventus on Saturday before tearfully exiting after a trophy-laden 17-year career in a 2-1 win over already relegated Verona. Buffon — who had captained Juventus to a seventh straight Serie A title and fourth consecutive Italian Cup triumph this season — took […]

Wembley (United Kingdom) (AFP) – The eyes of the world may be on a Royal wedding at Windsor, but 18 miles to the east English football's own showpiece event sees Chelsea and Manchester United face off in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday (1615GMT). Both sides are in need of silverware to salvage […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew has said he regrets telling Mario Goetze to 'show the world you're better than (Lionel) Messi' during the Brazil 2014 final as the midfielder has since struggled to live up to his billing as a World Cup winner. Goetze, 25, has been left out of the squad for […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola says he intends to stay and fight for the number one shirt despite talk of Italy great Gianluigi Buffon joining the French champions. "I think I've shown this season I have exactly the level it takes to be the number one goalkeeper," Areola said in an interview […]

Paris (AFP) – The French second-division playoff between Ajaccio and Le Havre that was postponed after fans of the Corsican club attacked the visitors' team bus has been rescheduled for Sunday. Ajaccio and Normandy-based Le Havre are fighting for promotion to Ligue 1, but Friday's fixture in Ajaccio was called off after fans threw missiles […]

Paris (AFP) – After Dimitri Payet's tears and the bitter disappointment of losing the Europa League final, Marseille must rouse themselves for one last effort as they try to snatch a Champions League place. Saturday in France brings the final round of games in Ligue 1, with Marseille locked in a three-way fight with Monaco […]

Murcia (Spain) (AFP) – There are twice as many footballers from the island of Curacao playing in England's top divisions as there are English players in Spain but Real Murcia's Charlie I'Anson is happy to be in the minority. I'Anson, born in Luton and brought up in Malaga, is one of three Englishmen to have […]

London (AFP) – Under-fire Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes his future at the club shouldn't depend on beating Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup final as he launched a fierce defensive of his record at Stamford Bridge. Conte led Chelsea to the Premier League and the FA Cup final in his debut season in England […]

Watford (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has told Chelsea fans he will never hate them no matter how much abuse he receives during Saturday's FA Cup final. Mourinho remains the most successful boss in Chelsea's history after winning three Premier League titles, as well as the three League Cups and one […]

Rome (AFP) – Parma returned to Italy's Serie A on Friday, securing a third successive promotion after being dumped into the fourth division following a series of financial crisis which led to bankruptcy. Parma sealed second place behind Empoli in Serie B after a 2-0 win at Spezia while rivals Frosinone could only draw 2-2 […]

Paris (AFP) – A French second division playoff match between Ajaccio and Le Havre was postponed on Friday after fans of the Corsican club attacked the visitors' team bus. Ajaccio and Normandy-based Le Havre are fighting for promotion to France's Ligue 1 top flight, but their respective bids are on ice after some fans, from […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Rio de Janeiro football giants Flamengo on Friday suspended the contract of Peru captain Paolo Guerrero following a doping scandal that has ruled him out of the World Cup. "We confirm the athlete is suspended," a spokesman for the club told AFP. Guerrero's future will be determined by the club […]

London (AFP) – Damien Wynter, an alleged victim of historical racial abuse at Chelsea, has gone public with his identity as he accused the Premier League club's former youth coaches of bullying. Wynter played for Chelsea's youth team in the 1990s and has lifted the lid on "internal racism and internal bullying". Wynter told the […]

London (AFP) – French midfielder Paul Pogba says he and his France team-mates must approach the World Cup finals in June with the right mindset as that counts more than technical ability. The 25-year-old Manchester United star — capped 51 times and a pivotal member of the side that reached the Euro 2016 final only […]

London (AFP) – Much-travelled former England manager Steve McClaren has been appointed manager of English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, the second tier side announced on Friday. The 57-year-old McClaren — who will be in his ninth club managerial post including two spells apiece with Dutch outfit Twente and English side Derby County — signed […]